Javier ALMUNIA

Javier Almunia holds a PhD in Marine Science from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and a Master’s in Environmental Management from the Institute of Ecological Research. Since September 2025, he is Assistant Professor in the Zoology Department at the University of La Laguna, after serving as Director of Loro Parque Fundación, an NGO funding and implementing wildlife conservation projects in over 40 countries.

During his tenure at Loro Parque Fundación, he led international programs on marine conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental education, with a focus on cetacean welfare, bioacoustics, and climate change impacts. He has authored over 40 scientific articles and more than 70 conference papers on marine ecology, cetacean behavior, ecotoxicology, and conservation strategies.

He also serves as President of the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AIZA) and previously served as President of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) and was a member of the Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Committee of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), contributing to the advancement of best practices in animal welfare, education, and conservation.